Physician Alert: Tax Scam Aimed at Doctors

[MMA News Now, April 24, 2014] Over the past week, the MMA has received several reports from state medical societies and the AMA regarding a tax scam directed at physicians and other providers.

According to the reports, fraudulent federal income tax returns are being filed using physician names, addresses and Social Security numbers. Victims have been unable to file their taxes electronically because a return has already been filed.

According to the Krebs on Security website: “thieves steal or purchase Social Security numbers and other data on consumers, and then electronically fraudulently file tax returns claiming a large refund. The thieves instruct the IRS to send the refund to a bank account that is tied to a prepaid debit card, which the fraudster can then use to withdraw cash at an ATM.”

Scott Colby, the executive vice president of the New Hampshire Medical Society, told Krebs that he has heard from "111 doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners in New Hampshire who have been victims of tax fraud this year."

Physicians in the following states have been affected: Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon and Vermont. To date, the MMA has not heard of any affected physicians in Minnesota.

If you have been a victim of this scam you can access tools on the IRS website or call toll-free at 1-800-908-4490.